Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction

Programs in Curriculum and Instruction prepare students to complete advanced degrees by addressing critical issues in learning, teaching, and curriculum, from local to global levels.

The Master of Arts, Education (M.A.) in Curriculum and Instruction is a degree with a focus in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  TESOL is a term that comprises both TESL, Teaching English as a Second Language, and TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language.  This degree program is offered at the KU Lawrence campus only. The M.A. candidate completes graduate courses both in education and in TESOL. This provides the candidate an opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in education as well as in TESOL.

The M.A./TESOL is a cohort program that starts each fall semester, with required courses to help graduates achieve their goals. Students work with an advisor to choose electives based on individual career goals.  There are three options for completing the M.A. degree: thesis, project, and examination. The thesis and project options each require a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, culminating in successful defense of a thesis or project. The examination option requires a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours, culminating in successful completion of a comprehensive written examination.

Students who select the thesis or project options must complete at least 20 of the credit hours in regular course work, as contrasted with independent study and similar enrollments.  Students who select the examination option must complete at least 26 credit hours in regular course work, as contrasted with independent study and similar enrollments.